Heavy silence surrounded them as they walked back to the village. Each step felt louder than any words could handle. The memory of the beast lingered in his mind. It’s cracked skin. Poisonous energy. Deathly eyes.

  A shiver ran through his body.

  In his hand, he held onto his Dad’s sword. Unsheathed. The only piece of Dad I have. And it’s broken. The weight crushed his shoulders as he slipped it back into its sheath.

  Close behind, the shuffle of Syelira’s feet swept into his ears. Glancing back, her bow slacked in her hand, gaze fixated on the ground.

  As the gurgling river grew louder, a thought rushed into InuShin’s mind. Slowing down by the riverbank, he turned to face her and held his hands out.

  Curiously, she watched him with her head tilted slightly. Ears perched high.

  “Umm.” He searched his brain for the Aurlis words he practiced. “You… air?” He asked, hesitantly. His tone was uncertain. With a short hum, he crouched closer to the river and outstretched his hand. Palm down.

  As he slowly raised his hand, a small thread of water obediently followed in motion, trembling in his concentration. It coiled around his arm as he shifted his attention towards her.

  Her expression shifted instantly. Recognition sparked in her soft, frightened zaffre eyes. With a warm smile, she lifted her hand and swept it gently through the air. The breeze around them stirred in response, curling and tugging at their hair. Trees’ leaves above danced in harmony.

  InuShin laughed once. Short but genuine. “You... air. Me… water.” He pointed between them with his other hand.

  I wonder if I can control the air too. As he circulated the water around them, he asked. “You… water?”

  Syelira shook her head. A hand pressed over her chest and then swept it outward with a breath. “Only air.”

  Guess I can only use water. What other elements can S?lvcù control?

  Sharing the discovery, they lingered near the river for a moment longer. The fear of the beast fading beneath the comfort of their bond. Two threads of nature meeting, water and air spiraling together.

  “Shin…” she started softly. “We… go home.” She pointed down the path.

  “Oh, right.”

  Guiding the thread of water back into the river, he turned around, stepping towards the village. This time, Syelira right beside him.

  A playful hum sang from her as she slightly bounced with each step. Her bow strapped to her back, and quiver hung to her side.

  The moment their feet stepped into the village, the air shifted. Heavier. Tree leaves remained still, as if scared to draw attention to themselves.

  Slowing down, InuShin’s heart tightened as he caught sight of his mother standing at the path’s end, her arms crossed. Stern eyes fixated on him.

  “InuShin. Syelira.” Her voice cut through the stillness. Sharp. Stern yet trembling with the weight of fear. “Where. Did. You. Go?”

  Syelira froze, her ears flattening as her gaze fell to the dirt.

  InuShin opened his mouth, fumbling for words, but nothing came. “We… uh.”

  His mother’s eyes narrowed, catching the nervousness in his voice.

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  “The Moon Gate,” she muttered, words laced with fear.

  His shoulders slumped. His head fell. “Yes.”

  Fury ignited within her, voice sharp as she scolded. “Didn’t I tell you to wait for someone who knew the path?” A quick glance toward her, she continued in Aurlis. Fast. Stern.

  Syelira flinched, clutching her hands together and bowing her head. Guilt and shame weighing on her.

  InuShin stepped forward, his voice trembling. “I convinced her to go. She tried to stop me, but I wanted to see it…”

  “Enough, InuShin.” The wind snapped around them, forcing them to coil inward. “You disobeyed me. Both of you. And until you learn the meaning of respect and restraint,” her eyes darted to Syelira and then back to him. “You will not play together. Not for a while.”

  InuShin opened his mouth to protest. Desperation burned in his chest, but the intensity in his mother’s eyes halted him. Her words sank deep.

  As his mother repeated in Aurlis, Syelira’s eyes glistened, but she remained silent. Forcing a small, broken smile, she whispered, “Bye, Shin.” Stepping slowly, her figure shrank until she disappeared behind one of the buildings.

  Silence lingered between him and his mother. Uncertainty filled him as he pondered a question. “Mother…?”

  “Speak.” Her voice stern, yet caring.

  “Syelira tried to stop me, but I wouldn't listen. I needed to see the portal. To see if I could return to Dad. And see if he’s okay. I miss him.”

  Her sternness faltered, crouching in front of him. “I know you do. I miss him too. But there is much of this world you do not understand. I want to prepare you for unexpected things before you wander off.”

  “I know,” he inhaled sharply. “Syelira and I ran into a beast at the Moon Gate. It was scary looking.”

  “A beast?” Her ear twitched. “What did it look like?”

  “Its body looked like cracked obsidian. Glowing purple veins and ghostly eyes.” His heart pounded as he recalled its appearance. “I froze. I didn’t know what to do. But Syelira shot it with an arrow, and then with an air attack.”

  “I’ve never seen a creature like that before. Did you get hurt?” Concern filled her eyes.

  “No.” He unsheathed the tantō, revealing half of the blade. “But Dad’s sword broke. I used it to distract the beast from attacking her. I wasn't strong enough.” He started sniffling, his shoulders contracting.

  “Oh, Shin,” his mother took his hand in hers and gently rubbed it with her thumb. “That was brave of you.”

  “I wanted to use water to protect her, but there wasn’t any nearby. I didn’t know what else to do. I’m not comfortable fighting with water just yet.”

  “You can manipulate water?” She cocked her head to the side.

  Nodding, he continued. “Yes, but not well. I’ve only made attacks once with it, so I’m not confident.”

  “If I help you learn how to manipulate water,” her tone shifted, serious, “will you promise me something?”

  “What?”

  “Promise me you won’t go wandering without thinking.” Her eyes stared into his. “I know your curiosity is expanding from being around Syelira, but don’t let it lead your way. There are many things to explore here, good and bad. So please, be cautious and think before acting.”

  Nodding, he inhaled and steeled his nerves. “Does that mean I can still hang out with Syelira?”

  With a short scoff, she shook her head. “Nice try. But you’re still not allowed.” Her smile softened. Genuine. “But until then, you can learn how to manipulate water so when the time comes, you can protect her.” She playfully winked. “As she will protect you when the time comes.”

  Heat rushed to his cheeks before he quickly shook it away. “Can you control water?” Hope filled his eyes.

  Tilting her head slightly, she shook her head once more. “No. Just like Syelira, I can manipulate air. But, I know someone who can teach you.”

  “Who?” He sheathed his sword, securing it under his obi.

  Straightening up, she took his hand in hers. “I will show you.”

  Slightly ahead of him, she led him to their destination. Her steps were steady. Reverent. Her air surrounded both of them. Warm. Fragrant. Comforting.

  As they approached the Hollow Circle, the ancient stones stood before them. Unlike before, there were silvery streams of water trickling through the engraved channels, converging in the middle where the spirit flame once rested.

  I don’t remember there being water here.

  The air shifted once more. Heavy. Damp with regret. Will I be strong enough to protect Syelira? Will I be strong enough to defend myself? A weight grew on his shoulders, his gaze lowering towards the ground.

  “Wait here,” his mother whispered. She stepped around the small pond and entered the wooden building on the opposite side.

  Standing beside the pool of crystal clear water, it glistened under the fading light. Little sparkles like stars danced within, inviting him to embrace openness. A mixture of mildly sweet and earthy fragrance surrounded him, calming him.

  Emerging from the wooden building, his mother alongside one of the elders.

  The Elder approached like a river. Each step flowed like a current. Every gesture carried the grace of tides. His robes, mystical greens and browns, poured from his frail form. Long silver hair, free from braids, cascaded around him like a waterfall.

  Hands behind his back, he stared at InuShin for a moment and then turned to his mother and spoke. His words carried like a babbling brook mixed with the softness of a gentle rain.

  InuShin only understood a few of them.

  After a little back and forth, his mother turned to him and motioned for him to join them.

  Little pats echoed in his ears as he stepped across the stone flooring. His heartbeat quickened as he approached the Elder. Deep wrinkles lined his face as he smiled softly.

  “Shin, this is Elder Oriamel.” She gestured towards him. “He’s agreed to teach you the S?lvcù’s way of water manipulation. Elder Oriamel, much like the other Elders, has passed down the knowledge of their elemental alignment. I will be here to help translate when needed, but Elder Oriamel wants you to understand mostly on your own, so he train you. Can you handle that?”

  Blinking a few times, InuShin respectfully bowed to him. “I will do my best.”

  “Good.” Extending her arm, she opened her hand. “Hand me your Father’s sword. You won’t be needing it.”

  Gripping it tightly, he tucked it closer to him. “Are you going to throw it away?”

  “Of course not, Shin. But it is no longer a useful weapon. We can either try to repair it or keep it at home.”

  Hesitantly, he slipped it out from under his obi and handed it over. “Okay.” Shifting his attention to the Elder, he relaxed his shoulders and steeled his nerves. Time to get stronger.